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Thursday, August 25, 2016

Are you a strong willed woman, or a SWW? Well, if you are,
this is the book for you. It answers a lot of questions you may have had about
the way you react or the way you feel about things. Strong willed women are
undeterred by people telling them it can’t be done. You have confidence and
drive to improve friendships, parenting, ministries, careers, and marriages.
Cynthia Tobias will show you strategies to achieve it. There is a questionnaire
to test how strong your will is. Strong Willed Women, is this you?

Want to leave the world better than you found it.

Can’t just stand there-you have to do something.

Always ready for a challenge.

Never want to give up.

Sound familiar?

If it does, you should pick up a copy today. It is very
enjoyable reading. It shows how your strong will fits in with GOD’s plan. Good
Reading!!!

I received a complimentary copy from Blogging For Books for
the review.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Not too long ago, I had a fire in my oven and I didn't know what to do. My daughter and I threw flour, cornmeal and potting soil on it. OK, not too bright, but at the time we just could not think straight.
Kitchen fire is not an uncommon incident. After all, it is a place where electrical appliances and gas stoves are used on a regular basis. And no matter how expensive your stoves are, it can start a fire just the same. That doesn't mean though that you need to quit using your kitchen to avoid such disaster. Some preventive measures can make it work for you and it doesn't need a lot of money to do so.

Get organized. Flammable materials must be placed away from fire. Dishtowels, boxes and paper bags shouldn't be near the stove or cooking area. Don't use your oven as storage for flammable materials even if you rarely turn it on. Accidents can happen anytime and kitchen fire can easily burn down the whole house.

When cooking, don't leave it unattended. Oil can light up, pots and pans can malfunction and flammable materials can find its way near the fire. Also, handles of pans and pots must not be left dangling towards the edge of the stove to avoid catching up unnecessary materials like your hair or clothing. Incidentally, avoid using loose fitting clothing that can easily catch fire. It is not only dangerous for your home but more so for you.

Your stove, oven, toaster, blender and other kitchen appliances must be plugged in a safe area, meaning it should be located away from the sink. Wet electrical cords can start a kitchen fire.

Following directions is also a good precautionary measure especially when using an appliance for the first time or using a cooking gadget that you're unfamiliar with. Follow instructions at all times especially when fire, electricity, oil and grease are involved. Also, keep your kitchen tools clean. Oven tops, stove and toasters must be free from crumbs, scraps and other items that can start a fire.

Since accidents can happen even though you've done the necessary preventive measures, have a fire extinguisher placed near the kitchen and every household member must know how to use it. In case electrical fire breaks out, don't try to put it off with water for that will only electrocute you. Keep baking soda handy as it is a natural fire extinguisher for grease fire.

In case the kitchen gets too hot and fire cannot be extinguished anymore, get out at once. Call for professional help for the cleanup operation later on.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Being a parent is life changing and though the rewards are absolute, the
challenges are forever changing. Today our family structure typically
involves both parents working and with extracurricular activities,
lessons and camps, time has become a commodity even our children have
precious little of.

While the majority of parents are involved in their children's
education, they have little time to participate in the actual day to day
structure of it. They see teachers and the school system as one part of
their child's day that they don't need to worry about. They can simply
trust the professionals to do their job. However, it's actually because
of the busyness of our lives that parents need to become more involved
in their child's school by volunteering on a semi regular basis.

It needn't be every day or even every week. With email and school web
pages, you can sign up and be added to volunteer lists and be available
when the time works best for you. It can be as much or as little as you
like. The key is being available to help when you can.

Seeing Your Child Through A Different Lens

When we take the time to visit our child's class during a regular day,
we have the opportunity to see for ourselves the many challenges and
issues faced by teachers and students today. It's here in the trenches
where we can see just what is needed and where we can step in and help.
By observing, participating and asking where we can be most useful, our
children can reap the rewards of an extra pair of hands and a little bit
of extra time from another caring adult.

Having the chance to see your child interact can give you a heads up to
situations you were not aware of. Children often behave very differently
in school than they do at home and it can be a very illuminating
experience. Teachers are professionals. Spending the time observing
their teaching styles and the manner in which they engage children, can
give you an understanding on how to teach your own child at home in life
situations.

Being in the classroom also shows your child that you value their
education and are making the time to keep it a high priority in your
family's life. The younger children may be excited at your interaction
in their classes and although the older children may not be thrilled
with your presence, chances are they will appreciate your commitment to
them and their education.

Helping Our Communities

Volunteering also provides support to the community. School funding is
often a struggle and administrators are constantly fighting for more
value with limited resources. Volunteers can help provide the support
that schools could not possibly afford.

A parent volunteer willing to spend a few hours a week helping out is a
welcome support to an increasingly overwhelming school system. Most
classrooms are overcrowded and a volunteer can give some individualized
attention to students that may be struggling. It can be anything from
help with reading and homework assignments to field trips and
administration duties.

Parent volunteers have become a necessary staple in our educational
systems. With a few hours a month, you can support your community and
show your commitment to your children's education. You are supporting
the teachers by allowing them to focus on teaching and providing the
best learning experience for your children.

Most importantly though, you are leading by example and pitching in
where your are needed. You are being present in their lives not only at
home but away from home as well. Your time is all the investment you
need to make a difference.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

I had not heard of Tamika Catchings even though I live in Indianapolis. I am not a sports fan. It is inspirational what this young woman has done and overcame. She shows that if you want something bad enough and are willing to work hard for it, it is possible. As she said in the book, "God took my mess and made it into a miracle." She had to overcome obstacles such as a hearing problem, low self-esteem, bullying and struggling to find her place. In the book she talks about relationships in her life. She states that family don't choose you, you are born into it. Your brothers and sisters can invite you into their lives or not. They can live in ways that make you important to them or not. They can choose you or not. She had the support of her family which helped her and of course, the love of God. She suffered injuries and still pushed on.
This is a very powerful book from a powerful woman. Pick up a copy today and travel along with Tamika as she grows into the woman she is today.

Officers were called to the Marathon gas station at East 10th Street and North Rural Street around 9:05 p.m. on a report of a disturbance. Five minutes later, there was a report of a gunshot at that location.

According to police, a woman called 911 to report she was being attacked inside a vehicle. A physical altercation between the man and the officer led to the shooting. IMPD believes the suspect was not armed.

A young child was in the car at the time of the shooting, and was not injured.

There are several surveillance cameras on the outside of the gas station, however, investigators are still trying to determine what was recorded. IMPD is promising the public transparency throughout the investigation.

"We will involve the community and we will be transparent and share information as we know it," said Valerie Cunningham, Deputy Chief of Patrol for IMPD.

An IMPD officer was seen by a FOX59 reporter leaving in an ambulance with a splint or bandage around his arm and hand. He was taken to IU Health Methodist Hospital.

The officer involved in the incident is a six-year veteran and will be placed on leave as the investigation continues.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

I may not know what the future holds for me, yet I do know what good waits for me in the unknown: God is there. Whereever I go, God's spirit is within me and goes before me. Becoming quiet, I allow muself to experience the loving presence of God with every fiber of my being. Knowing that God will never forsake me, I am relieved of fear and anxiety. God is powerful enough to have created the sun, the moon, and the stars, and to have sent mighty rivers surging across the ground to forge immense canyons. Yet God is gentle enough to have created the delicate petals of a fragile flower. God create me, and being a part of God's majesty greatly blesses me.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son
asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads, he said, "God is
good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you
more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for
all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman
remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even
know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong?
Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a
terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman
approached the table.

He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that
was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart." Then,
in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had
started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A
little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son
stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the
rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked
over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile, he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

He'd like them to know, but it all starts with U.

Will U pass it on?

JesUs Loves U!!!

A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with
her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed
with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his
bed.

The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.
"I guess you were expecting me," he said. "No, who are you?" said the
father. "I'm the new minister at your church," he replied. "When I saw
the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up." "Oh yeah,
the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not
even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known
how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer,
but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the
old man continued, "until one day, about four years ago, my best friend
said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a
conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest. Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in
front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky
because He promised, "I'll be with you always." Then, just speak to Him
in the same way you're doing with me right now.'

So, I tried it, and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours
every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an
empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to
the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to
continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with
oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called
to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house about two
o' clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me he loved me and
kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I
found him dead. But there was something strange about his death.
Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head
on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?"

The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less;
we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less common sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but fewer solutions; more medicine, but less wellness.

When an ice cream sundae cost much less, a boy entered a coffee shop
and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
“How much is an ice cream sundae?”

“Fifty cents,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number
of coins in it. “How much is a dish of plain ice cream?” he inquired.

Some people were now waiting for a table, and the waitress was impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she said angrily.

The little boy again counted the coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream.”

The waitress brought the ice cream and walked away. The boy finished,
paid the cashier, and departed. When the waitress came back, she
swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty
dish, were two nickels and five pennies–her tip.